Michelin are best known for their extensive tyre range, extended to many tyre types.
One segment of tyre that Michelin have specialised in over the decades are
motorbike tyres, with their Road tyre series being a flagship set of models for the French tyre brand.
The two latest Road tyres are the Michelin Road 5 and Road 6, two successful motorbike tyres that have become popular amongst Michelin customers around the world.
We will be covering both the Road 5 and 6 to see how the two bike tyres match up.
Michelin Road 5 vs Road 6: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between the Michelin Road 5 and Michelin Road 6 is that the Road 6 builds on the success of the Road 5 with further improvements in wet-weather grip, longevity and overall riding confidence.
The Michelin Road 5 became one of Michelin’s most popular sport-touring motorcycle tyres thanks to its excellent all-weather performance, long tread life and innovative Michelin Water EverGrip Technology, which helps maintain grip as the tyre wears.
The Michelin Road 6 is the latest generation of Michelin’s acclaimed Road range. It introduces a revised tread pattern, new silica-based compounds and an optimised tyre architecture that Michelin says delivers 15% better wet grip and 10% longer tyre life compared with the Road 5, while maintaining the comfort and stability expected from a premium sport-touring tyre.
In simple terms:
Choose the Road 5 if you’re replacing an existing set or it was OE.
Choose the Road 6 if you want Michelin’s latest sport-touring motorcycle tyre.
Road 5 Overview
The
Michelin Road 5 is a premium motorcycle tyre that was released back in 2018.
The Road 5 is equipped with Michelin’s 2CT, 2CT+ and Water Evergrip Technology, ensuring that the Michelin bike tyre has excellent wet grip, even when the tyre is 50% worn. This makes the Road 5’s braking distance equivalent to Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4.
Equipped with Michelin Radial-Act+ technology, providing increased rigidity that gives the tyre greater stability.
A real staple in Michelin’s bike tyre model line-up, the Road 5 features strong technology that has made it a popular choice for motorcycle drivers.
The
Michelin Road 6 is also a premium bike tyre, introduced by Michelin in 2022.
This motorcycle tyre is equipped with a brand new tread pattern that is paired with 100% Silica Technology tread compounds, giving the Road 6 an improved grip of 15% compared to the Road 5.
The compound that the Road 6 arrives with increases the tyre’s longevity by 10% compared to its previous generation. Michelin’s Aramid Shield Technology further strengthens the tread and helps deliver enhanced stability.
Much like the Road 5, the Road 6 is equipped with Michelin’s 2CT+ Technology, further improving the tyre’s stability.
A very suitable successor to the Road 5, the Michelin Road 6 has garnered many plaudits from industry experts and customers alike.
Which Motorcycles Are The Michelin Road 5 And Road 6 Designed For?
Both tyres were developed for sport-touring motorcycles, and the Michelin Road 5 & 6 range is commonly fitted to:
Yamaha Tracer 9
BMW F900XR
Honda NT1100
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
Suzuki GSX-S1000GT
Triumph Tiger Sport 660
Ducati Multistrada V2
Yamaha MT-09
BMW R1300GS
Price Difference Between Michelin Road 5 and Road 6
Prices for fully fitted tyres typically vary between different tyre sizes.
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Road 5 range from £ to £.
Fully fitted prices for the Michelin Road 6 range from £ to £.
Should You Buy The Michelin Road 5 Or Road 6?
Both tyres are outstanding sport-touring motorcycle tyres, but the Michelin Road 6 is the recommended choice for most riders.
Building on the strengths of the Road 5, Michelin has enhanced wet-weather performance, increased tyre life and refined the tyre’s overall handling characteristics. According to Michelin, the Road 6 offers 15% greater wet grip and 10% longer tyre life than the Road 5, making it the brand’s most advanced sport-touring tyre.
The Road 5 remains an excellent option, particularly if you’re replacing an existing set or find it at a competitive price. However, if both tyres are available in your required size, the Road 6 represents Michelin’s latest sport-touring technology and is the stronger overall choice.
Where Can I Buy Michelin Road 5 Or Road 6?
You can buy both the Michelin Road 5 and Michelin Road 6 directly from Blackcircles.com. Simply enter your motorcycle’s tyre size to compare available options and view the latest prices.
Motorcycle tyres purchased from Blackcircles.com are delivered directly to your chosen address, allowing you to arrange fitting at your preferred motorcycle workshop or fit them yourself if you have the appropriate equipment and experience.
With a wide range of Michelin motorcycle tyres available, Blackcircles.com makes it easy to find the right tyres for your bike and have them delivered straight to your door.
FAQs
Is the Michelin Road 6 the successor to the Road 5?
Yes. The Michelin Road 6 replaces the Road 5 as Michelin’s flagship sport-touring motorcycle tyre. It builds on its predecessor with improvements in wet-weather grip, longevity and overall riding confidence.
What improvements does the Michelin Road 6 offer over the Road 5?
Michelin states the Road 6 delivers 15% better wet grip and 10% longer tyre life than the Road 5. These improvements come from a redesigned tread pattern, updated silica compounds and an optimised tyre construction.
Is the Michelin Road 6 suitable for long-distance touring?
Yes. The Road 6 has been developed for riders who combine commuting, weekend rides and long-distance touring. It offers excellent stability, comfort and durability while maintaining strong grip in both wet and dry conditions.
Which tyre performs better in wet weather?
Both tyres perform exceptionally well in wet conditions, but the Michelin Road 6 has been specifically engineered to provide even greater wet grip and braking performance than the Road 5, particularly in poor weather.
Can I fit Michelin Road 6 tyres to a motorcycle that currently uses Road 5 tyres?
In many cases, yes. If the Road 6 is available in the correct size and specification for your motorcycle, it is a natural upgrade from the Road 5 and allows riders to benefit from Michelin’s latest sport-touring technology.
Which tyre is likely to last longer?
Michelin states the Road 6 provides approximately 10% greater tyre life than the Road 5 while maintaining its performance throughout the tyre’s lifespan. Actual mileage will depend on riding style, motorcycle type and maintenance.
Are Michelin Road tyres suitable for everyday commuting?
Yes. Both the Road 5 and Road 6 have been designed to perform equally well during daily commuting, weekend rides and extended touring. Their combination of comfort, stability and all-weather grip makes them highly versatile sport-touring tyres.
Are Michelin motorcycle tyres worth paying more for?
Many riders choose Michelin because of its reputation for premium engineering, dependable all-weather performance and long-lasting durability. The Road range has become particularly popular with riders looking for tyres that balance touring comfort with confident handling.
Can I use Michelin Road tyres for spirited weekend riding?
Yes. Although the Road range is primarily designed for sport-touring, both the Road 5 and Road 6 offer responsive handling and strong dry-road grip, making them well suited to enthusiastic road riding as well as longer-distance touring.
Should I upgrade from the Michelin Road 5 to the Road 6?
If your motorcycle is compatible, upgrading to the Michelin Road 6 is worthwhile. It delivers Michelin’s latest advances in wet-weather grip, tyre longevity and rider confidence, making it the best choice for riders looking to benefit from the newest generation of Michelin’s sport-touring technology.
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